BHP is intensifying its focus on Zambia’s copper sector, signalling a growing industry shift toward the search for large, deeply buried mineral deposits as global demand for copper continues to rise.
The renewed exploration push highlights increasing international interest in Zambia’s largely underexplored mineral potential. The country, currently Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is targeting a major increase in copper output by 2031.
BHP’s return to the region marks a significant step after the company reduced much of its African exposure following the 2015 spin-off of South32. Previous involvement on the continent had been relatively limited, including a short-lived participation in Tanzania’s Kabanga nickel project.
The company is now adopting a broader regional exploration strategy covering Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Angola.
BHP’s exploration programme is focused on identifying large-scale copper systems located deeper underground and beyond the reach of traditional exploration methods. To support this, the company is deploying advanced geological modelling, airborne surveys and data-driven exploration technologies aimed at improving discovery success rates.
According to Zambia’s Ministry of Mines, access to modern geoscience data and digitised geological information is becoming increasingly important in attracting major mining investment and enabling more accurate exploration targeting.
The Zambian government has also been implementing reforms designed to improve the investment environment as it seeks to benefit from rising global demand for copper linked to electrification, renewable energy infrastructure and the energy transition.
BHP’s renewed activity underscores Zambia’s growing strategic importance in the global race to secure future supplies of critical minerals essential for low-carbon technologies and industrial development.
